Kyoto gave us some of the best moments of our whole Japan trip, and most of them were free. Here's an honest breakdown of the four best areas to stay in Kyoto, family-friendly hotel picks in each, and why the paid attractions aren't where the magic happens.

From Dotonbori's neon chaos to an accidental discovery at Tsutenkaku Tower, here's our honest take on things to do in Osaka with kids — the good, the crowded, and the surprisingly cheap zoo.

Kyoto has a real mix of moments that click with a 5-year-old and a few that don't — the Monkey Park was a highlight, the Bamboo Grove less so. Here's our honest take.

We did the Hakone Loop on a rainy, foggy day with almost zero views — and our 5-year-old still loved it. Here's our honest take on whether it's worth it with kids. Plus, additional stops to make the most of your time in Hakone!

Shibuya Sky at sunset, teamLab Borderless, a sushi-making class, and a sumo show — here's what we actually did in Tokyo, and what's worth booking ahead.